EP0588616A1 - Appareil d'enregistrement - Google Patents

Appareil d'enregistrement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0588616A1
EP0588616A1 EP93307271A EP93307271A EP0588616A1 EP 0588616 A1 EP0588616 A1 EP 0588616A1 EP 93307271 A EP93307271 A EP 93307271A EP 93307271 A EP93307271 A EP 93307271A EP 0588616 A1 EP0588616 A1 EP 0588616A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
recording
moving
mode
speed
control means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93307271A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0588616B1 (fr
Inventor
Soichi C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Hiramatsu
Tetsuo C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Suzuki
Masahiro C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Taniguro
Kazuhiro C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Nakata
Hiroyuki C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Saito
Haruyuki C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Yanagi
Takashi C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Nojima
Kiichiro C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Takahashi
Satoshi C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Saikawa
Hiroyuki C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Kinoshita
Hideaki C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Kawakami
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP24971292A external-priority patent/JP3308602B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP26090492A external-priority patent/JP3035093B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP28010392A external-priority patent/JP3323550B2/ja
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP0588616A1 publication Critical patent/EP0588616A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0588616B1 publication Critical patent/EP0588616B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/485—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters or image elements applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes
    • B41J2/505—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters or image elements applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes from an assembly of identical printing elements
    • B41J2/5056—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters or image elements applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes from an assembly of identical printing elements using dot arrays providing selective dot disposition modes, e.g. different dot densities for high speed and high-quality printing, array line selections for multi-pass printing, or dot shifts for character inclination

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a recording medium in a plurality of recording modes.
  • a recording paper sheet is fed by rotating conveyance rollers while urging the recording paper sheet against the conveyance rollers.
  • a predetermined recording operation is performed on the fed recording paper sheet (recording sheet) using a recording head.
  • the conveyance rollers are driven by transmitting the drive force of, e.g., a stepping motor via a gear train and the like.
  • a portion of a timing belt is attached to the carriage, and the belt is driven by, e.g., a stepping motor, thereby moving the recording head, as is well known.
  • the recording head is scanned with respect to the recording sheet, and a recording operation is performed during the scanning operation using the recording head. Every time a scanning operation is completed, the recording sheet is fed by the recording width of the recording sheet. In this manner, a recording operation for a single recording sheet is performed.
  • ink-jet recording apparatus are required to record fine images.
  • recording elements in a recording head e.g., ink ejection orifices in an ink-jet system, are arranged at a high density.
  • recording apparatuses are required to reduce noise generated upon execution of a recording operation, and to have a high recording speed or to be able to select one of a plurality of recording speeds in accordance with an image to be recorded, so as to improve the values of their commodities.
  • the recording sheet conveyance arrangement and the recording head scanning arrangement are improved variously.
  • the present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and is concerned with providing improved recording apparatus.
  • An embodiment of the present invention provides a recording apparatus, which has a plurality of recording modes, and can perform recording under a proper recording condition.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides a recording apparatus, which has a plurality of recording modes, and can perform proper conveyance control of a recording medium in correspondence with the recording modes.
  • a still another embodiment of the present invention provides a recording apparatus, which has a plurality of recording modes, and can perform proper moving control of a recording head in correspondence with the recording modes.
  • a further embodiment of the present invention provides a recording apparatus, which has a plurality of recording modes, and can perform proper wiping control of a recording head in correspondence with the recording modes.
  • a further embodiment of the present invention provides a recording apparatus, which has a plurality of recording modes, and can perform proper drive control of a recording head in correspondence with the recording modes.
  • a recording sheet 1 as a recording medium is fed by a sheet conveyance means 2. At this time, the recording sheet 1 is pressed against conveyance rollers 2a by a sheet pressing member 3 so as not to float from a platen 4.
  • a carriage 5 When the recording sheet 1 is fed, a carriage 5 is reciprocally moved along a guide rail 6, and a recording means 7 is driven to record an image on the recording sheet 1.
  • the sheet 1 recorded with the image is exhausted by an exhaust means 8.
  • the carriage 5 is reciprocally moved upon reception of the drive force of a carriage motor 9 as a drive source via a timing belt 10c constituting a transmission means 10.
  • the sheet conveyance means 2 is used for conveying a recording sheet 1 to the recording position of the recording means, and conveys a recording sheet fed from an ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) 11 detachable from the apparatus main body or a recording sheet inserted from a manual insertion port 12, in this embodiment.
  • ASF Auto Sheet Feeder
  • the sheet conveyance means 2 of this embodiment rotates the conveyance rollers 2a in the direction of an arrow a , and conveys the recording sheet 1 by front and rear pinch rollers 2b1 (not shown) and 2b2 driven by the rollers 2a.
  • the conveyance rollers 2a are divisionally fitted on a roller shaft 2c, the two ends of which are pivotally supported by right and left side walls 13b and 13a of an apparatus frame, respectively.
  • the drive force from a conveyance motor 2e is transmitted to the roller shaft 2c via the above-mentioned drive transmission structure including a gear train. More specifically, a conveyance gear 2d1 is attached to the roller shaft 2c, and is meshed with an idler gear 2d2. The idler gear 2d2 is meshed with a first transmission gear 2d3.
  • a second transmission gear 2d4 is attached to the shaft of the first transmission gear 2d3.
  • the drive force from the conveyance motor 2e is selectively transmitted to the first and second transmission gears 2d3 and 2d4 by a clutch mechanism (not shown).
  • the pinch rollers 2b1 and 2b2 are pressed. against the surface of each conveyance roller 2a by springs (not shown) or the like, and are driven by the rotation of the conveyance roller 2a. Therefore, the recording sheet 1 obtains its conveyance force while being nipped by the rotating conveyance rollers 2a and the pinch rollers 2b1 and 2b2.
  • a paper pan (not shown) curved along the circumferential surfaces of the conveyance rollers 2a is mounted below the conveyance rollers 2a.
  • the paper pan extends to the manual insertion port 12, and serves as a lower guide of a manually inserted recording sheet 1.
  • an upper guide plate is mounted above the paper pan to be separated by a predetermined interval therefrom, thus constituting a conveyance path of the recording sheet 1.
  • the recording sheet 1 fed from the ASF 11 is nipped by the front pinch rollers 2b1 and the conveyance rollers 2a, and is fed along the circumferential surfaces of the conveyance rollers 2a in a U-turn manner.
  • the recording sheet 1 is then nipped by the rear pinch rollers 2b2 and the conveyance rollers 2a, and is fed to the recording position located above the rollers.
  • the recording sheet 1 fed from the manual insertion port 12 is nipped by the conveyance rollers 2a and the rear pinch rollers 2b2, and is fed to the recording position.
  • the ASF 11 for automatically feeding recording sheets 1 to the conveyance means 2 will be briefly described below.
  • the ASF 11 is detachable from the recording apparatus.
  • the uppermost one of recording sheets 1 stored in a cassette 11a is pressed against separation rollers 11c by a pressing spring.
  • the separation rollers 11c are rotated, the uppermost sheet is separated and fed, and is brought into contact with a nip portion between a registration roller arranged at the downstream side of the separation rollers, and an upper roller contacting the registration roller.
  • the registration roller is rotated, the recording sheet 1 is nipped by the registration roller and the upper roller driven by the registration roller, and is fed to the sheet conveyance means 2.
  • a registration gear 11g is attached to a roller shaft 11f on which the registration roller is fitted, and is meshed with the idler gear 2d2 via an idler gear 11g1.
  • a separation gear 11i is attached to a roller shaft 11h on which the separation rollers 11c are fitted, and is meshed with idler gears 11j and 11k in turn. Furthermore, a gear 11l attached coaxially with the gear 11k is meshed with the second transmission gear 2d4.
  • the sheet pressing member 3 presses the recording sheet 1 fed by the conveyance means 2 against the conveyance rollers 2a so as to prevent the sheet 1 from floating from the platen 4.
  • the sheet pressing member 3 comprises a single planar member having a width larger than the moving range of the carriage 5, so as to press the entire width region of the recording sheet 1.
  • the sheet pressing member 3 is pressed against the conveyance rollers 2a by a pressing means such as a spring (not shown).
  • the distal end of the sheet pressing member 3 is located below the recording position of the recording means 7, and the fed recording sheet 1 is pressed against the conveyance rollers 2a by the sheet pressing member 3. As a result, the recording sheet 1 at the recording position can be prevented from floating from the platen 4.
  • the carriage 5 is arranged for reciprocally moving the recording means 7 in the widthwise direction of the recording sheet 1.
  • the carriage 5 is slidably attached to the guide rail 6, the two ends of which are fixed to the right and left side walls 13b and 13a, and which serves as a guide member having a circular section.
  • the carriage 5 is attached to be pivotal about the guide rail 6, so that the front portion of the carriage 5, i.e., a portion opposing the recording sheet 1 is inclined downward. As a result, the front end portion of the carriage contacts the sheet pressing member 3 by the weights of the carriage 5 and the recording means 7 carried on the carriage 5.
  • the interval between the recording means 7 carried on the carriage 5 and the recording sheet 1 can be maintained constant all the time.
  • the drive force of the carriage motor 9 is transmitted to the carriage 5 via the transmission means 10, thereby reciprocally moving the carriage 5.
  • a driving pulley 10a is attached to one end of the moving range of the carriage 5, and a driven pulley 10b is attached to the other end.
  • the driving pulley 10a is coupled to the carriage motor 9.
  • the endless timing belt 10c which extends parallel to the guide rail 6, and serves as a transmission member, is looped between the pulleys 10a and 10b, and a portion of the timing belt 10c is fixed to the carriage 5.
  • the recording means is carried on the carriage 5, and records an ink image on the recording sheet 1 fed by the conveyance means 2.
  • an ink-jet recording system is suitably used as the recording means in this apparatus.
  • the ink-jet recording system comprises ink ejection orifices for ejecting a recording ink as flying droplets, ink channels communicating with these ejection orifices, and ejection energy generation means for applying ejection energy to the ink in the channels to form flying droplets.
  • the ejection energy generation means are driven according to an image signal to form ink droplets, thereby recording an image.
  • the ejection energy generation means for example, a method using a pressure energy generation means such as an electro-mechanical converter, e.g., a piezo element, a method using an electromagnetic energy generation means for causing an ink to absorb an electromagnetic wave such as a laser radiated thereon so as to form flying droplets, a method using a heat energy generation means such as an electro-thermal converter, or the like is available.
  • a method using the heat energy generation means such as an electro-thermal converter is suitable since it allows a high-density arrangement of ejection orifices, and can attain a compact structure of a recording head. For this reason, in this embodiment, an ink is ejected by this method.
  • a capping means (not shown) is arranged at the left end portion of the moving range of the carriage 5.
  • the capping means has a function of preventing an ink near the ejection orifices of the recording head 7 from being dried, and solidification of the dried ink by covering the ink ejection surface of the recording head 7 in a non-recording state.
  • the capping means is connected to a pump (not shown).
  • the pump In order to remove or avoid ink ejection errors, the pump is driven to draw an ink by suction from the ejection orifices by the suction force of the pump, thus executing recovery processing.
  • the exhaust means 8 is arranged for exhausting the recording sheet recorded by the recording means 7.
  • the exhaust means 8 comprises exhaust rollers 8a and spur gears (not shown) contacting these gears.
  • An exhaust gear 8d is attached to the end portion of a roller shaft 8c of the exhaust rollers 8a, and is meshed with the idler gear 2d2.
  • the conveyance motor 2e when the conveyance motor 2e is rotated, its drive force is transmitted to the exhaust rollers 8a to rotate these rollers 8a, and the recording sheet 1 is exhausted by co-operations of the exhaust rollers 8a and spur gears 8b.
  • the exhausted recording sheet 1 is stacked on an exhaust stacker 8f located above the exhaust rollers 8a.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the ink-jet recording apparatus shown in Fig. 1.
  • the control unit includes a host computer 101 for supplying recording image data, and various control signals, and a CPU 102 for executing communication control with the host computer 101 and sequence control of the ink-jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, and mainly consisting of a known one-chip microcomputer including a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
  • the control unit also includes a head driver 103 for driving the ejection energy generation means of the recording means 7, a conveyance motor driver 104 for driving the conveyance motor 2e, and a carriage driver 105 for driving the carriage motor 9.
  • Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the flow of control to be executed by the CPU 102 shown in Fig. 2, and a program according to this flow chart is stored in the ROM.
  • a recording mode includes a standard recording mode, and a high-speed recording mode (draft mode) for recording an image by thinning out half of ink droplets to be ejected (for this reason, the recording density of the recorded image is lowered, and the recording state slightly deteriorates).
  • the drive curve of the recording sheet conveyance motor 2e is changed. This control will be described in more detail below.
  • step S1 the CPU 102 receives recording data sent from the host computer 101. After the data is received, data is recorded by one line in step S2. In this operation, the CPU 102 supplies a drive signal to the carriage motor driver 105 to drive the carriage motor 9, and at the same time, supplies a recording signal to the head driver 103 to drive the energy generation means of the recording head 7, thereby recording data for one line.
  • a sheet feed operation is performed to prepare for the recording operation for the next line. Prior to this operation, it is checked in step S3 if the current recording mode is the high-speed recording mode (draft mode). If NO in step S3, a sheet feed drive operation based on a normal ramp-up/down curve is executed in step S4.
  • Fig. 4 shows the normal ramp-up/down curve.
  • elapsed time is plotted along the abscissa
  • the drive speed (unit: PPS (pulses/second)) of the conveyance motor 2e is plotted along the ordinate
  • each ⁇ mark indicates the speed for the elapsed time per step. That is, the conveyance motor 2e is driven to gradually increase its speed in the former seven steps, and is driven to decrease its speed in the latter seven steps. More specifically, a long phase excitation switching time is set initially, the shortest switching time is set after seven steps, and thereafter, the switching time is prolonged.
  • step S3 if it is determined in step S3 that the recording mode is the high-speed recording mode, a sheet feed drive operation based on a high-speed ramp-up/down curve which is different from the normal ramp-up/down curve is executed.
  • Fig. 5 shows the high-speed ramp-up/down curve.
  • the curve shown in Fig. 5 includes a curve pattern for rapidly decreasing the speed in the latter half thereof.
  • the control based on the curve in Fig. 4 requires about 47 msec, while the control based on the curve in Fig. 5 requires 35 msec. Therefore, in the high-speed recording mode, the sheet feed operation is completed very fast.
  • the sheet feed drive control based on the curve shown in Fig. 4 is advantageous due to the effect of a curve pattern for gradually decreasing the speed in a deceleration state, but as for the sheet feed speed (sheet feed time), the sheet feed drive control based on the curve shown in Fig. 5 is advantageous, as described above.
  • the curve shown in Fig. 5 has the same highest speed as that of the curve shown in Fig. 4.
  • the curve shown in Fig. 5 need not have the same highest speed as that of the curve shown in Fig. 4, and may have the highest speed higher than that of the curve shown in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing a control sequence according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 7 is a graph showing a conveyance motor drive curve of this modification.
  • the recording mode includes the standard recording mode, and a silent recording mode with lower sheet feed noise.
  • the drive curve of the recording sheet conveyance motor 2e is changed. This control will be described in detail below.
  • step S21 in Fig. 6 the CPU 102 receives recording data sent from the host computer 101. After the data is received, data is recorded by one line in step S22 as in the first embodiment. Upon completion of recording for one line, it is checked in step S23 if the current recording mode is the silent recording mode, i.e., a mode with low noise upon execution of the sheet feed operation. If NO in step S23, sheet feed control based on the normal ramp-up/down curve is executed in step S24. This normal ramp-up/down curve is the same as that shown in Fig. 4.
  • step S23 If it is determined in step S23 that the recording mode is the silent recording mode, sheet feed control based on a silent ramp-up/down curve is executed in step S25.
  • Fig. 7 shows this silent ramp-up/down curve.
  • the highest speed of the curve shown in Fig. 7 is set to be lower than that of the curve shown in Fig. 4, i.e., 400 PPS.
  • the curve shown in Fig. 4 is advantageous in terms of the sheet feed speed (sheet feed time), but the curve shown in Fig. 7 is advantageous in terms of noise.
  • Sheet feed noise is roughly classified into two kinds of noise: one is vibration noise generated by the drive motor, and the other is sheet rubbing noise.
  • the drive motor In general, the drive motor generates large vibration noise at a low speed. On the other hand, when the motor is driven at a considerably high speed, it generates rasping high-frequency noise. The paper rubbing noise increases as the speed is increased.
  • the drive frequency determined based on the balance between these kinds of noise is 400 PPS shown in Fig. 7. Therefore, the sheet feed drive control based on the curve shown in Fig. 7 has lower noise than the drive control based on the curve shown in Fig. 4 in which the highest speed exceeds 500 PPS.
  • the curve shown in Fig. 7 includes the same rising and falling curve patterns as those in the curve shown in Fig. 4. In order to attain a more silent sheet feed operation, the curve shown in Fig. 7 may include different rising and falling curve patterns from those in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing a control sequence according to another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 9 is a graph showing a drive curve of the conveyance motor.
  • the recording mode includes the standard recording mode, and a fine-image recording mode with high sheet feed precision. In these modes, the drive curve of the conveyance motor 2e is changed.
  • step S31 in Fig. 8 the CPU 102 receives recording data sent from the host computer 101. After the data is received, data is recorded by one line in step S32 as in the first embodiment. Upon completion of recording for one line, a sheet feed operation is performed to prepare for recording for the next line. Prior to this sheet operation, it is checked in step S33 if the current recording mode is the fine-image recording mode. If NO in step S33, sheet feed control based on the normal ramp-up/down curve is executed in step S34. The normal ramp-up/down curve is the same as that shown in Fig. 4.
  • step S33 If it is determined in step S33 that the recording mode is the fine-image recording mode, sheet feed control based on a fine-feed ramp-up/down curve is executed in step S35.
  • Fig. 9 shows the fine-feed ramp-up/down curve.
  • the curve shown in Fig. 4 is advantageous in terms of the sheet feed speed, but as far as feed precision is concerned, the sheet feed control with high precision can be attained when the curve shown in Fig. 9 is used.
  • the curve shown in Fig. 9 includes a curve pattern for setting a constant speed (160 PPS) from its middle portion. The constant speed is set based on measurement results of sheet feed precision at a plurality of speeds.
  • the sheet feed operation satisfying various precision, speed, and noise requirements is performed, while in the fine-image recording mode which does not require a high feed speed, a sheet feed operation with high feed precision can be performed although the sheet feed speed is slightly lowered.
  • Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing a processing sequence according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the processing of this embodiment is executed by the same apparatus and control arrangement as those described in the first embodiment.
  • the drive curve of the recording sheet conveyance motor is changed in correspondence with the high-speed recording mode, the silent recording mode, the fine-image recording mode, and the like.
  • the drive curve of the recording sheet conveyance motor 2e is changed in accordance with the conveyance amount of the recording sheet.
  • step S41 data sent from the host computer 101 is received. After the data is received, it is checked in step S42 if the data is a record start command including a sheet feed command. If YES in step S42, it is checked in step S43 if non-recorded recording data is left in a developed state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the sent data is simple recording data, the data is developed on a predetermined recording area in step S44, and the flow returns to step S41 to execute data reception processing.
  • step S43 As a result of checking in step S43 if non-recorded recording data is left in a developed state, if it is determined that no recording data is left, it is checked in step S46 if sheet feeding data exists. If it is determined in step S43 that recording data is left, a recording operation is performed based on the data in step S45, and thereafter, decision step S46 is executed; if it is determined in step S43 that no recording data is left, decision step S46 is immediately executed.
  • step S46 If it is determined in step S46 that no sheet feeding data exists, the flow returns to the processing in step S41. If it is determined in step S46 that sheet feeding data exists, it is checked in step S47 if the sheet feeding data indicates a sheet feed amount equal to or larger than a predetermined amount. If it is determined in step S47 that the sheet feeding data indicates a sheet feed amount equal to or larger than the predetermined amount (including a normal sheet feed amount), a sheet feed operation is performed based on a drive curve which places relatively high importance on sheet feed precision, speed, noise, and the like, and includes asymmetrical rising and falling curve patterns, in step S48. As this drive curve, the above-mentioned drive curve shown in Fig. 4 can be used.
  • step S47 If it is determined in step S47 that the sheet feed amount is less than the predetermined amount, a sheet feed operation is performed based on a drive curve including symmetrical rising and falling curve patterns, as shown in Fig. 11, in step S49.
  • Fig. 12 shows a drive table for realizing this drive curve.
  • the predetermined sheet feed amount includes 14 steps when the drive curves shown in Figs. 4 and 11 are used as in this embodiment.
  • the sheet feed operation defined by less than 14 steps corresponds to that executed in step S49.
  • Fig. 12 shows a case wherein a feed amount for six steps is set.
  • an excitation in the first step drives the motor from a phase located at the beginning of driving
  • seven excitations (1 to 7 in Fig. 12) are performed.
  • the pulse rates on the table are sequentially switched downward
  • the pulse rates on the table are sequentially switched upward.
  • the above-mentioned seven switching operations are sequentially performed in the order of 1 ⁇ 7, as shown in Fig. 12.
  • the drive curve shown in Fig. 11 includes the same ramp-up/down table portions, it can execute drive control so that the speed returns from a half ramp-up position in the reverse direction by utilizing symmetrical portions of the table.
  • the sheet feed operation of the predetermined amount or more used in the normal sheet feed operation can satisfy precision, speed, and noise requirements.
  • a drive curve including symmetrical rising and falling curve patterns is partially utilized in correspondence with the sheet feed amount, i.e., the number of steps. For this reason, a sheet feed operation of any feed amount, which can satisfy the sheet feed speed and noise requirements to some extent, can be attained by simple control.
  • each of ramp up and down curve patterns consists of seven steps. As the number of steps is increased, the effect of simplifying control, and the effect of satisfying the sheet feed speed, precision, and noise requirements can be enhanced.
  • the number of drive curves used when the sheet feed amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount is only one shown in Fig. 4.
  • a plurality of curves such as a precision priority specific curve, a speed priority specific curve, and the like may be prepared.
  • two different curves e.g., a curve used when the sheet feed amount is equal to or larger than a first predetermined amount, and a curve used when the sheet feed amount is equal to or larger than a second predetermined amount may be used.
  • the general curve shown in Fig. 11 used when the sheet feed amount is less than the predetermined amount may be classified into two stages, and two different curves may be used.
  • a drive table shown in Fig. 13 is associated with a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the speed is decreased at a rate about 1/2 of that in the ramp-up state.
  • control is made in such a manner that a portion of the ramp-up table is used up to a timing about 1/3 of the feed amount defined by the drive curve shown in Fig. 11, and the remaining feed operation is performed according to another ramp-down table.
  • the two tables include a pulse rate of 320 PPS indicated by the excitation 3, and this pulse rate corresponds to the highest speed.
  • the above-mentioned conveyance motor drive control of the second embodiment is applied to drive control of the carriage motor.
  • Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing a processing sequence according to this embodiment. This processing will be described below.
  • step S51 in Fig. 14 data sent from the host computer 101 is received, and is developed in a recordable state. It is checked in step S52 if the current position of the carriage which carries the recording means (recording head) is a position where the carriage can be moved from that position in a ramp-up mode to the recording start position so as to allow recording. For example, when the current position is located at the side of the recording region of the recording start position, or when the current position is located before the recording start position, and the ramp-up distance cannot be assured, it is determined that the carriage is currently located at a ramp-up unallowable position.
  • step S52 If it is determined in step S52 that the current position is a position where it is impossible to start recording in the ramp-up mode, the carriage is moved to a ramp-up start allowable position for recording in step S53.
  • the moving distance in this case includes various distances, and may be shorter than a moving distance using a ramp-up/down curve for recording. For this reason, the carriage is moved using a general curve which can be used even for any short distance.
  • This general curve is the same as the drive curve shown in Fig. 11 of the second embodiment related to the conveyance motor, i.e., the drive curve including symmetrical ramp-up and ramp-down curve patterns.
  • step S54 If it is determined in step S52 that the carriage is located at a position where it is possible to start recording in the ramp-up mode, processing in step S54 is executed. In step S54, the carriage is moved to the recording start position using a specific lamp-up curve, and recording is then performed at a constant speed. Thereafter, the carriage is stopped using a specific ramp-down curve. Upon completion of recording, a sheet feed operation is performed in step S55.
  • the carriage drive control for less than the predetermined distance using the general curve is the same as that described above with reference to Fig. 12 in the second embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the carriage motor drive control may be executed using the drive curve shown in Fig. 13 in place of Fig. 11.
  • a sheet supply unit is attached to the main body to be inclined at an angle of 30° to 60°, and a set recording sheet is exhausted horizontally after a print operation.
  • the sheet supply unit comprises sheet supply rollers 201, a separation pawl 202, a movable side guide 203, a base 204, a pressure plate 205, a pressure plate spring, a drive gear, a release cam, a pawl spring, a releasing cam (none of components without reference numerals are shown), a releasing lever 210, and the like.
  • a separation pawl 202 a movable side guide 203
  • a base 204 a pressure plate 205
  • a pressure plate spring a drive gear
  • a release cam a pawl spring
  • a releasing cam one of components without reference numerals are shown
  • a releasing lever 210 Normally, since the release cam pushes down the pressure plate 205, a recording sheet is separated from the sheet supply rollers 201.
  • the drive force of conveyance rollers is transmitted to the sheet supply rollers 201 and the release cam via a drive gear.
  • the release cam is separated from the pressure plate 205, the pressure plate 205 is moved upward, and the sheet supply rollers 201 are brought into contact with the recording sheet.
  • a recording sheet is picked up, and is separated one by one by the separation pawl 202.
  • the separated recording sheet is fed to a sheet feed unit.
  • the sheet supply rollers 201 and the release cam complete one revolution until they completely feed the recording sheet to the sheet feed unit.
  • the pressure plate 205 is released from the sheet supply rollers 201, the drive force from the sheet supply rollers 201 is stopped, thus holding this initial state.
  • the sheet feed unit comprises conveyance rollers, pinch rollers, a pinch roller guide, a pinch roller spring, a PE sensor lever, a PE sensor, a PE sensor spring, an upper guide, a platen (none of them are shown), and the like.
  • the recording sheet fed to the sheet feed unit is fed to the roller pairs of conveyance rollers and pinch rollers using the platen, the pinch roller guide, and the upper guide as guides.
  • the PE sensor lever is arranged in front of these roller pairs. The PE sensor detects the leading end of the recording sheet upon displacement of the PE sensor lever, and the print position on the recording sheet is determined in accordance with the detection result..
  • the pinch roller guide When the pinch roller guide is biased by the pinch roller spring, the pinch rollers are pressed against the conveyance rollers, thereby generating a conveyance force of the recording sheet.
  • the recording sheet fed by the roller pairs moves along the platen upon rotation of the roller pairs by an LF motor (conveyance motor) 226, and is subjected to recording based on predetermined image information by a recording head 227.
  • LF motor conveyance motor
  • the recording head 227 is an exchangeable ink-jet recording head, which is integrated with an ink tank.
  • the recording head 227 comprises electrical converters, and ejects an ink from ejection orifices by utilizing a change in pressure caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles formed by film boiling generated upon application of heat energy, thus attaining recording.
  • a carriage unit is constituted by a carriage 228 on which the recording head 227 is mounted, a guide shaft 229 for reciprocally scanning the carriage 228 in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet, a guide 230 for holding the rear end of the carriage 228 to maintain a certain interval between the head and the sheet, a timing belt 231 for transmitting the drive force of a carriage motor 248 to the carriage 228, idle pulleys 232 between which the timing belt 231 is looped, a flexible circuit board 233 for supplying a head drive signal from an. electrical circuit board to the recording head 227, and the like.
  • the recording head 227 is scanned integrally with the carriage 228, it forms an image on the recording sheet conveyed along the platen.
  • An exhaust unit is provided with exhaust rollers 234, transmission rollers 235 for transmitting the drive force of the conveyance rollers to the exhaust rollers 234, spurs 236 for assisting the exhaust operation, and an exhaust tray 237.
  • the recording sheet is exhausted onto the exhaust tray by the exhaust rollers 234 and the spurs 236 without staining an image thereon.
  • a cleaning unit is constituted by a pump 242 for cleaning the recording head 227, a cap 249 for preventing the recording head 227 from being dried, and a drive switching lever 243 for switching the drive force from the conveyance rollers to the sheet supply unit and the pump 242.
  • the drive switching lever 243 In a state other than a sheet supply cleaning mode, the drive switching lever 243 is located at a position illustrated in Fig. 15, and fixes a planetary gear (not shown), which is rotated about the central axis of the conveyance rollers, in a predetermined position. For this reason, the drive force of the conveyance rollers is not transmitted to the pump 242 and the sheet supply unit.
  • the planetary gear moves according to the forward or reverse rotation of the conveyance rollers.
  • the drive force is transmitted to the sheet supply unit; upon reverse rotation of the conveyance rollers, the drive force is transmitted to the pump 242.
  • the LF motor 226 for driving the conveyance rollers, and the like, and the carriage motor 248 for driving the carriage 228 comprise stepping motors, which are rotated by a predetermined angle in accordance with signals supplied from drivers (to be described later).
  • Sheet feed control of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 17 to 21B.
  • Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing a circuit arrangement of the fourth embodiment.
  • Data sent from a host computer 301 is received by a controller 302 having a CPU, and the like.
  • Drivers 303, 304, and 305 respectively drive the recording head 227, the conveyance motor 226, and the carriage motor 248.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus has three print speed modes, i.e., a standard print speed mode (to be referred to as an HQ mode hereinafter) with a full performance of the recording head, a high-speed mode (to be referred to as an HS mode hereinafter) with a slightly deteriorated recording state (since a print operation is performed while thinning out ink droplets to be ejected, the print density is lowered), and a fine-image, low-noise mode (to be referred to as an SHQ mode hereinafter) corresponding to the current circumstance requiring high-quality printing.
  • a standard print speed mode to be referred to as an HQ mode hereinafter
  • HS mode high-speed mode
  • SHQ mode fine-image, low-noise mode
  • Fig. 18 and Figs. 19A to 21B are respectively a flow chart and tables for explaining sheet feed control. The control will be described below with reference to these figures.
  • a ramp-up operation corresponding to about a half feed amount is performed according to a general curve C (Fig. 21B) using a portion up to the middle of a ramp-up table, and a ramp-down operation corresponding to the remaining half feed amount is performed using a portion after the middle of a ramp-down table, in step S4.
  • step S5 If the fine sheet feed mode is not selected, it is checked if the SHQ mode is selected (step S5). If NO in step S5, a sheet feed operation is performed by a 2-2 phase exciting method based on a table B (Fig. 20A) (step S6). In this case, the sheet feed operation is performed at a high speed. However, if YES in step S5, a sheet feed operation is performed by a 1-2 phase exciting method based on a table A (Fig. 19A) (step S7). In this case, although the sheet feed speed is low, a low-noise, high-precision sheet feed operation can be attained.
  • the sheet feed operation in the SHQ mode is performed by the normal 1-2 phase exciting method, and when the sheet feed amount is less than 20 pulses, the sheet feed operation is performed by the 2-2 phase exciting method.
  • this embodiment is characterized in that 1 different tables are used in the fine sheet feed mode and the normal mode, and 2 a ramp-up constant and exciting method (1-2 phase) which can attain low-noise, high-precision control are adopted in the SHQ mode compared to the HQ and HS modes.
  • this embodiment has at least one specific rising/falling speed curve, and at least one general rising/falling speed curve so as to control the sheet feed amount equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, and control based on the general speed curve is executed using a portion up to the middle of the rising pattern of the speed curve, and a portion from the middle of the falling pattern in accordance with the feed amount.
  • the drive speed is controlled in different modes in accordance with a plurality of image recording modes.
  • the drive method of the sheet drive means is controlled in a mode placing an importance on noise.
  • the drive method of the sheet drive means is controlled in a mode placing an importance on the conveyance precision.
  • drive control matching with the image recording mode can be executed.
  • the silent image recording mode sheet conveyance control with low conveyance noise can be attained, and in the fine-image recording mode, sheet conveyance control with high conveyance precision can be attained.
  • Carriage drive control according to the image recording mode can be performed in addition to the above-mentioned recording sheet conveyance control according to the image recording mode.
  • Skip and high-speed return control of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 22A to 23.
  • the skip and high-speed return operations are not performed, thereby suppressing a decrease in print precision caused by speed nonuniformity, and generation of sliding noise.
  • step S11 Data reception is performed in step S11, and prior to a print operation, it is checked in steps S12 and S13 if the current mode is the SHQ, HQ, or HS mode.
  • the print speed is set at 124 cps, and neither of the skip mode nor the high-speed return mode are selected (steps S14 to S16).
  • the print speed is set at 173 cps, and the skip and return speeds are set at a high speed, i.e., 248 cps (steps S17 to S19).
  • the current mode is the HS mode, neither of the skip mode nor high-speed return mode are selected, and the print and return speeds are set at 248 cps (steps S20 to S22).
  • step S23 the print operation is performed according to the selected skip and return modes.
  • capping and wiping operations of an ink-jet recording head can be controlled in accordance with the image recording mode.
  • An ink-jet recording apparatus of this embodiment is constituted by a recording head for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting an ink, a carriage which carries the recording head, and is reciprocally moved in the right-and-left direction, a guide shaft for guiding the carriage, a wiper for removing dust such as paper particles or an ink attached on a head face, a cap for preventing clogging of nozzles of the head face, and performing suction recovery, and the like.
  • a wiper holder 501 holds a wiper 404.
  • a wiper lever 502 has a cam surface 502A, and is pushed down when a lever push-down portion 402A of a carriage 402 is moved along the cam surface 502A.
  • the wiper lever 502 is attached to the wiper holder 501 to be rotatable about a lever shaft 501A.
  • the wiper lever 502 attached to the lever shaft 501A is rotatable in the X-direction in Fig. 24, but is non-rotatable in the Y-direction.
  • the lever 502 always maintains the state shown in Fig. 24 by the biasing force of, e.g., a spring (not shown).
  • a holder spring 503 always pushes up the wiper holder 501 (to a wiping position).
  • a lever-side trigger portion 502B is brought into contact with a carriage-side trigger portion 402B, and the wiper lever 502 is rotated in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 24.
  • the wiper holder 501 is moved upward by the pressure of the holder spring 503, thus allowing wiping.
  • the head face 401A is brought into contact with the wiper 404, thus attaining the wiping operation.
  • two wiping modes i.e., a standard mode (for the HQ and HS modes) and a low-noise mode (for the SHQ mode) are prepared.
  • the wiping modes are selectively used in correspondence with the print modes, so that a low-noise apparatus can be realized without impairing the standard specifications of the recording apparatus.
  • a user selects a print mode using, e.g., a key switch (S1)
  • the CPU of the recording apparatus detects the selected mode (S2), and the print mode is set in the selected mode.
  • the wiping mode of the recovery system is set in correspondence with the selected print mode (S3).
  • the wiping operation is performed at a standard speed in the HQ or HS mode, and the low-noise wiping mode is executed in the SHQ mode although the wiping speed is low.
  • the plurality of wiping modes are prepared in correspondence with the plurality of print speed modes, and are selectively used to utilize the feature of each print mode, thus improving the total specifications of the recording apparatus.
  • Fig. 26 is a flow chart for explaining another operation for selecting the wiping mode.
  • steps S1 to S3 execute the same operation sequence as in Fig. 25 of the sixth embodiment.
  • the wiping mode can be individually selected by, e.g., a key switch in step S4.
  • the instruction issued in step S4 is discriminated by the CPU in the apparatus in step S5, and a combination of the print speed mode and the wiping mode is set in step S6.
  • the same effect as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 25 can be obtained.
  • drive control of the recording head can be performed in accordance with the image recording mode. This embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 27 to 33.
  • Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing constituting elements of a control circuit of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
  • the control circuit includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, an interface 604, a printer control IC 605, a recording head 606, a head driver 607, a printer unit 608, a motor driver 609, and an operation panel 610.
  • the CPU 601 analyzes commands, data, and the like received from a host computer to form bit image data corresponding to a final recording content, and controls the entire recording apparatus.
  • the ROM 602 stores a program used for control executed by the CPU 601.
  • the RAM 603 temporarily stores data received from the interface 604, and also stores recording data obtained by analyzing the received data by the CPU 601.
  • the interface 604 is a connection unit to the host computer.
  • the printer control IC 605 is connected to a bus line of the CPU 601, and controls the RAM 603, the interface 604, and the recording head 606 on the basis of an instruction from the CPU 601.
  • the recording head 606 is a 64-nozzle (ejection orifice) ink-jet head using heat energy, is integrated with an ink tank, and is exchangeable by a user.
  • the head driver 607 converts a head control signal output from the printer control IC 605 into a voltage/current level which can drive the recording head.
  • the printer unit 608 is a mechanism unit for performing a recording operation, and is constituted by a carriage system for scanning the recording head using a carriage motor as a drive source, a sheet feed system for conveying a recording sheet using a sheet feed motor as a drive source, a carriage position sensor, a sheet sensor, and the like.
  • the motor driver 609 includes a carriage motor driver and a sheet feed motor driver.
  • the operation panel 610 includes switches and indication lamps.
  • the print mode includes three modes, i.e., HS, HQ, and SHQ modes.
  • HS high
  • SHQ SHQ
  • a print mode provides an intermediate print speed and image quality.
  • a user can set the print mode by operating the operation panel 610. Also, the print mode can be changed by supplying a command from the host computer.
  • Fig. 28 shows the outer appearance of a mode setting unit of the operation panel 610.
  • the mode setting unit includes a mode switch 621, an HS mode indication lamp 622, and an HQ mode indication lamp. 623.
  • the HQ mode is selected, and only the indication lamp 623 is turned on.
  • the mode switch 621 is depressed once, the SHQ mode is set, and both the indication lamps 622 and 623 are turned on.
  • the mode switch 621 is depressed once more, the HS mode is set, and only the indication lamp 622 is turned on.
  • the mode switch 621 is depressed still another time, the print mode is returned to the HQ mode. In this manner, the print mode can be cyclically changed.
  • Fig. 29 shows a mode setting method by means of a command.
  • a command for setting the mode consists of 3 bytes (ESC "x" n), and designates a mode by a value n.
  • Fig. 30 is a circuit diagram for explaining an electrical arrangement of the recording head.
  • heater resistors 641 and diodes 642 are formed on a chip board of the recording head.
  • a total of 64 heater resisters 641 are arranged in correspondence with nozzle portions of the recording head.
  • 64 diodes 642 are arranged.
  • One-end portions of the heater resistors 641 are connected in units of eight resistors, and are then connected to current flow-in terminals CM1 to CM8.
  • the terminals CM1 to CM8 will be referred to as common terminals hereinafter.
  • the other end of each heater resistor 641 is connected to the anode of the corresponding diode 642.
  • the cathodes of the diodes 642 are connected in units of eight diodes to extend in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction of the common terminals, and are then connected to current flow-out terminals SG1 to SG8.
  • the terminals SG1 to SG8 will be referred to as segment terminals hereinafter.
  • the recording head is driven by supplying a current from the common terminal side to the segment terminal side.
  • the drive control is executed in units of common terminals. First, when a driver connected to the terminal CM1 is turned on, the eight heater resistors connected to the terminal CM1 can be energized. In this case, when the ON/OFF states of segment drivers are controlled, the heater resistors to be energized are selected. The heater resistor connected to the ON segment terminal generates heat by energization, and forms a bubble in an ink near it. An ink droplet is ejected from the corresponding nozzle by the pressure of the bubble. When the common drivers are sequentially turned on from the terminal CM2 to CM8, all the heater resistors can be energized.
  • Fig. 31 is a block diagram showing a circuit arrangement of the head driver 607.
  • the head driver 607 includes a pre-driver 651, a common driver 652, and a segment driver 653.
  • the printer control IC 605 outputs common control signals COM1 to COM8, and segment control signals SEG1 to SEG8.
  • the pre-driver 651 converts the common control signals COM1 to COM8 output from the printer control IC 605 into levels capable of driving the common driver 652.
  • the common driver 652 is a source type driver, and supplies currents to the common terminals CM1 to CM8 of the recording head 606.
  • the segment driver 653 is a source type driver, and absorbs currents from the segment terminals SG1 to SG8 of the recording head 606 in response to the segment control signals SEG1 to SEG8 output from the printer control IC 605.
  • Fig. 32 is a timing chart of head control signals in the HQ and SHQ modes.
  • the common control signals COM1 to COM8 are sequentially enabled, and while each common control signal is enabled, the segment control signals SEG1 to SEG8 are selectively enabled in correspondence with recording data.
  • odd segment control signals SEG1, SEG3, SEG5, and SEG7 are enabled first, and even segment control signals SEG2, SEG4, SEG6, and SEG8 are then enabled. Since the segment control signals are selectively enabled in two groups, currents flowing through the common terminals CM1 to CM8 are halved as compared to a case wherein all the segments are simultaneously driven.
  • the allowable current capacity of the common driver 652 can be reduced to realize a compact, low-cost circuit. Since the number of nozzles which are simultaneously driven is halved, a vibration of an ink in the head generated upon ejection of ink droplets is eliminated. The ink vibration disturbs uniform ejection of ink droplets, and causes deterioration of print quality. For this reason, the eliminated ink vibration contributes to improvement of print quality.
  • Fig. 33 is a timing chart of head control signals in the HS mode.
  • the HS mode only odd segment signals SEG1, SEG3, SEG5, and SEG7 are enabled in an odd column print mode, and only even segment signals SEG2, SEG4, SEG6, and SEG8 are enabled in an even column print mode. For this reason, the print result has a pattern obtained by thinning out dots in a checker pattern.
  • the allowable current capacity of the common driver 652 can be reduced to realize a compact, low-cost circuit.
  • the ON time of common signals is shortened as compared to the HQ or SHQ mode, and the head drive time can be shortened. For this reason, the print speed can be increased by increasing the head drive frequency.
  • the segments to be simultaneously driven are divided into odd and even groups, and these groups are time-divisionally driven.
  • odd segments and even segments are alternately driven in units of columns. For these reason, the allowable current capacity of the common driver 652 can be reduced to realize a compact, low-cost circuit.
  • the head drive time can be shortened, and the print speed can be increased.
  • the drive condition of the recording head is controlled in accordance with the print mode, the ambient temperature, and the head chip temperature.
  • Drive control having three print modes, i.e., HQ, SHQ, and HS modes, for increasing/decreasing the ejection amount is executed to correct a change in ejection amount caused by changes in ambient temperature and head chip temperature, thus realizing high image quality.
  • the temperature of the recording head when the temperature of the recording head is controlled within a predetermined range, ejection and the ejection amount can be stabilized, and a high-quality image can be recorded.
  • a calculation detection means for the temperature of the recording head, and an optimal drive control method according to the temperature for realizing stable high-quality recording will be briefly described below.
  • Head drive control for stabilizing the ejection amount to be described below uses the head chip temperature as a control reference. More specifically, the head chip temperature is used as an index for detection of an ejection amount per dot ejected at that time. However, even when the chip temperature is constant, since the ink temperature in a tank depends on the ambient temperature, the ejection amount varies. For the purpose of eliminating this difference, a value which determines the head chip temperature to equalize the ejection amount in units of ambient temperatures (i.e., in units of ink temperatures) is a target temperature. The target temperature is pre-set as a target temperature table. Fig. 34 shows the target temperature table used in this embodiment.
  • the recording head temperature is estimated and calculated based on previously input energy.
  • a change in temperature of the recording head is processed as an accumulation of discrete values per unit time, the change in temperature of the recording head according to the discrete value is calculated in advance within a range of inputtable energy, and the calculation results are summarized as a table.
  • the table employs a two-dimensional matrix (two-dimensional table) of input energy per unit time and elapsed time.
  • the recording head as a combination of a plurality of members having different heat conduction times is substituted with models as thermal time constants fewer than those in practice, and calculations are individually performed using different required calculation intervals and required data hold times in units of models (thermal time constants). Furthermore, a plurality of heat sources are set, and a raised temperature width (temperature increment) is calculated for each heat source in units of models. These results are added to each other to calculate the head temperature.
  • the response time obtained when the chip temperature is estimated and calculated is shorter than that obtained when the temperature is measured by a sensor. This allows a quick countermeasure against a change in chip temperature.
  • the estimated and calculated head temperature can serve as a reference for ejection drive control and sub-heater drive control in this embodiment.
  • a means for driving the head in a multi-pulse PWM drive mode, and controlling the ejection amount independently of the temperature is PWM control.
  • a PWM table which defines pulses having an optimal waveform and width at that time in accordance with a difference between the head temperature and the target temperature in a corresponding environment is set in advance, thereby determining an ejection drive condition.
  • control for driving sub-heaters immediately before a print operation to cause the head temperature to approach the target temperature is sub-heater control.
  • An optimal sub-heater drive time at that time is set in advance in correspondence with the difference between the head temperature and the target temperature in a corresponding environment, thereby determining a sub-heater drive condition.
  • a change in head temperature is calculated by evaluating it using a matrix calculated in advance within ranges of the thermal time constants of the head and inputtable energy.
  • Temperature estimation of the recording head basically complies with the following general formulas of heat conduction:
  • the chip temperature of the recording head can be theoretically estimated by calculating the above-mentioned formulas (1) and (2) in accordance with the print duty in units of time constants.
  • the present inventors obtained the result shown in Fig. 35 when energy was input to the recording head with the above arrangement, and data in the temperature rise process of the recording head were sampled. Strictly speaking, the recording head with the above-mentioned arrangement is constituted by a combination of many members having different heat conduction times. However, as can be seen from Fig. 35, within ranges wherein the differential value of a function between the LOG-converted raised temperature data and the elapsed time is constant (i.e., ranges A, B, and C having constant inclinations), the recording head can be substantially processed as heat conduction of a single member.
  • the recording head is processed as two thermal time constants in models associated with heat conduction.
  • the above-mentioned result indicates that regression can be more precisely performed by modelling having three thermal time constants.
  • the recording head is modelled as follows.
  • Fig. 36 shows an equivalent circuit of heat conduction modelled in this embodiment. Although Fig. 36 illustrates only one heat source, two heat sources can be serially connected.
  • Formula ⁇ 2-n> equal to the temperature of an object at time nt when heating is performed from time 0 to time t, and is turned off from time t to time nt.
  • Formula ⁇ 2-3> equal to the temperature of an object at time nt when heating is performed from time (n-3)t to time (n-2)t, and is turned off from time (n-2)t to time nt.
  • Formula ⁇ 2-2> equal to the temperature of an object at time nt when heating is performed from time (n-2)t to time (n-1)t, and is turned off from time (n-1)t to time nt.
  • Formula ⁇ 2-1> equal to the temperature of an object at time nt when heating is performed from time (n-1)t to nt.
  • the fact that the total of the above formulas is equal to formula ⁇ 1> means that the behavior of the temperature (raised temperature) of object 1 can be estimated and calculated such that the current temperature of object 1 is obtained by calculating a decreased temperature (temperature decrement), after an elapse of each unit time, of the temperature of object 1 raised by input energy per unit time (corresponding to each of formulas ⁇ 2-1>, ⁇ 2-2>, ⁇ 2-3>,..., ⁇ 2-n>), and by calculating a total sum of the decreased temperatures as opposed to raised temperatures (temperature increments) per unit time ( ⁇ 2-1> + ⁇ 2-2> + ⁇ 2-3> + ... + ⁇ 2-n>).
  • the calculation of the chip temperature of the recording head is performed four times (two heat sources * two thermal time constants) by the above-mentioned modelling.
  • the required calculation interval and data hold time for each of the four calculations are as shown in Fig. 37.
  • Figs. 38 to 41 show calculation tables each defined by a two-dimensional matrix of input energy and elapsed time.
  • the above-mentioned PWM drive control and sub-heater control for controlling the temperature of the recording head can be properly performed, and ejection and the ejection amount can be stabilized, thus allowing high-quality image recording.
  • Figs. 42A and 42B show a comparison of the recording head temperature estimated by the head temperature calculation means described in this embodiment, and the actually measured recording head temperature.
  • Figs. 42A and 42B show a comparison of the recording head temperature estimated by the head temperature calculation means described in this embodiment, and the actually measured recording head temperature.
  • Fig. 43 is a view for explaining divisional pulses according to this embodiment.
  • VOP represents the drive voltage
  • P1 represents the pulse width of the first pulse (to be referred to as a pre-heat pulse hereinafter) of a plurality of divided heat pulses
  • P2 represents the interval time
  • P3 represents the pulse width of the second pulse (to be referred to as a main heat pulse hereinafter).
  • T1, T2, and T3 represent times required for respectively determining the pulse widths P1, P2, and P3.
  • the drive voltage VOP is one of electric energy sources required when electro-thermal conversion elements which receive this voltage generate, as a heater board, heat energy in an ink in ink channels defined by a top plate.
  • the value of the drive voltage VOP is determined by the area, resistance, and film structure of the electro-thermal conversion elements, and the channel structure of the recording head.
  • PWM divisional pulse width modulation
  • pulses are sequentially applied to have the widths P1, P2, and P3.
  • the pre-heat pulse is a pulse for mainly controlling the ink temperature in the channels, and plays an important role in the ejection amount control of the present invention.
  • the pre-heat pulse width is set to be a value which does not cause a foaming phenomenon in the ink by heat energy generated by the electro-thermal conversion elements upon application of the pre-heat pulse.
  • the interval time is set to assign a predetermined time interval for preventing the pre-heat pulse from interfering with the main heat pulse, and to obtain a uniform temperature distribution of the ink in the ink channels.
  • the main heat pulse is set to cause the foaming phenomenon in the ink in the channels to eject the ink from ejection orifices, and its width P3 is determined by the area, resistance, and film structure of the electro-thermal conversion elements, and the ink channel structure of the recording head.
  • Figs. 44A and 44B are respectively a schematic longitudinal sectional view taken along an ink channel 701 and a schematic front view showing an arrangement of a recording head to which the present invention can be applied.
  • each electro-thermal conversion element (ejection heater) 702 generates heat upon application of divisional pulses.
  • the electro-thermal conversion element is arranged on a heater board together with an electrode wiring pattern for applying the divisional pulses thereto, and the like.
  • the heater board consists of silicon, and is supported by an aluminum plate serving as a substrate of the recording head.
  • a top plate 703 is formed with grooves for defining ink channels 701 and the like, and when the top plate is joined to the heater board (aluminum plate), the ink channels and a common ink chamber for supplying an ink to these channels are defined.
  • the top plate is formed with ejection orifices 704 (hole area: 20 ⁇ diameter or equivalent), which communicate with the corresponding ink channels.
  • Fig. 45 is a graph showing the pre-heat pulse dependence of the ejection amount.
  • the ejection amount Vd increases linearly with a range of the pulse width P1 from 0 to P1 LMT , and the change in ejection amount Vd loses linearity in a range satisfying the pulse width P1 >P1 LMT .
  • the range up to the pulse width P1 LMT in which the change in ejection amount Vd with respect to the change in pulse width P1 shows linearity is effective as a range allowing easy ejection amount control based on the change in pulse width P1.
  • P1 LMT 1.87 [ ⁇ sec]
  • V LMT 24.0 [ng/dot]
  • the ejection amount Vd becomes smaller than V MAX .
  • This phenomenon occurs for the following reason. That is, when a pre-heat pulse having a pulse width in the above-mentioned range is applied, a very small bubble (in a state immediately before film boiling) is formed on the electro-thermal conversion element, and the subsequent main heat pulse is applied before this bubble disappears. Thus, since the very small bubble disturbs foaming to be caused by the main heat pulse, the ejection amount decreases. This region is called a pre-foaming region, and in this region, it is difficult to execute ejection amount control using the pre-heat pulse as a medium.
  • the pre-heat pulse dependence coefficient K p ⁇ VdP/ ⁇ VP1 [ng/ ⁇ sec ⁇ dot]
  • K P is determined by the head structure, drive condition, ink physical properties, and the like in dependently of the temperature. More specifically, curves b and c in Fig. 45 represent the above-mentioned relationships of other recording heads, and as can be seen from these curves, the ejection characteristics change depending on recording heads.
  • the ejection amount control according to this embodiment can be realized using the above-mentioned relationships shown in Figs. 45 and 46.
  • double-pulse PWM drive control is performed.
  • PWM drive control may be performed using multi-pulses, i.e., three or more pulses, or a main pulse PWM drive method for changing the main pulse width using a single pulse may be adopted.
  • This embodiment executes control to uniquely set a PWM value from a temperature difference ( ⁇ T) between the target temperature and the head temperature.
  • Fig. 47 shows the relationship between ⁇ T and the PWM value.
  • ⁇ indicates -- ranges up to the value of the next column --
  • temperature difference represents ⁇ T
  • pre-heat represents P1
  • interval represents P2
  • main represents P3.
  • set-up time represents a time required from when a recording instruction is input until the pulse P1 actually rises.
  • the set-up time is mainly a margin time until the driver rises, and is not an essential element of the present invention.
  • weighting represents a weighting coefficient to be multiplied with the number of print dots which are detected for calculating the head temperature. Even when the number of dots to be printed remains the same, the raised temperature of the head obtained when dots are printed at a pulse width of 7 ⁇ sec becomes different from that obtained when dots are printed at a pulse width of 4.5 ⁇ sec. As a means for correcting the temperature difference caused by pulse-width modulation depending on a selected PWM table, "weighting" is used.
  • sub-heater drive control is executed immediately before a print operation so as to adjust the ejection amount to the reference ejection amount.
  • the sub-heater drive time is set from a sub-heater table in accordance with a difference ( ⁇ t) between the target temperature and the actual head temperature.
  • Two sub-heater tables i.e., a "quick heating sub-heater table” and a "normal sub-heater table", are prepared, and are selectively used depending on the following conditions (see Fig. 48).
  • the "quick heating sub-heater table” is used.
  • A1 in Fig. 48 represents an area for determining whether or not the quick heating table is used at the beginning of printing.
  • the "normal sub-heater table” is used.
  • the "normal sub-heater table” is used.
  • the table used at the beginning of printing is successively used. More specifically, when the quick heating sub-heater table was used, the "quick heating sub-heater table” is successively used; when the normal sub-heater table was used, the "normal sub-heater table” is successively used.
  • A2 in Fig. 48 represents an area with a possibility of use of the quick heating table.
  • the ejection amount limit means using sub-heaters is a technique for controlling the ejection amount by increasing the head temperature, it requires a certain time for raising the temperature. For this reason, when a desired raised temperature cannot be obtained within a ramp-up time of the carriage, the print start timing must be delayed to assure an extra time for raising the temperature, resulting in a decrease in throughput.
  • Fig. 49 shows the details of sub-heater drive conditions.
  • temperature difference represents a difference ( ⁇ t) between the target temperature and the actual head temperature
  • LONG represents the quick heating sub-heater table
  • SHORT represents the normal sub-heater table.
  • Fig. 50 shows an interrupt routine for setting a PWM drive value for ejection, and a sub-heater drive time. This interrupt routine is generated every 50 msec. Therefore, the PWM value and the sub-heater drive time are always updated at 50-msec intervals independently of the print or non-print state, and whether or not the environment requires sub-heater drive control.
  • the print duty for the past 50 msec is referred to (S2010).
  • the print duty to be referred to at this time is a product of the number of actually ejected dots with weighting coefficients in units of PWM values, as has been described above in the paragraph of (PWM Control).
  • the raised temperature ( ⁇ Tmh) when the heat source is the ejection heater and the time constant is that of the short-range member group is calculated from the duty for the past 50 msec, and a print history for the past 0.8 sec (S2020).
  • the drive duty of the sub-heater for the past 50 msec is similarly referred to (S2030), and the raised temperature ( ⁇ Tsh) obtained when the heat source is the sub-heater, and the time constant is that of the short-range member group is calculated from the sub-heater drive duty for the past 50 msec, and a sub-heater drive history for the past 0.8 sec (S2040).
  • a target temperature is set from the target temperature table (S2060), and the temperature difference ( ⁇ T) between the head temperature and the target temperature is calculated (S2070).
  • the PWM value as the optimal head drive condition according to ⁇ T is set based on the temperature difference ⁇ T, the PWM table, and the sub-heater table (S2080).
  • the sub-heater drive time as the optimal head drive condition according to the temperature difference ⁇ T is set (S2100) on the basis of the selected sub-heater table (S2090).
  • the interrupt routine ends.
  • Fig. 51 shows the main routine.
  • the print duty for the past 1 sec is referred to (S3020).
  • the print duty to be referred to at this time is a product of the number of actually ejected dots with weighting coefficients in units of PWM values, as has been described above in the paragraph of (PWM Control).
  • the raised temperature ( ⁇ Tmb) obtained when the heat source is the ejection heater, and the time constant is that of the long-range member group is calculated from the duty for the past 1 sec, and a print history for the past 512 sec, and is stored and updated at the predetermined memory position so as to be easily referred to in the interrupt routine generated every 50 msec (S3030).
  • the sub-heater drive duty for the past 1 sec is referred to (S3040), and the raised temperature ( ⁇ Tsb) obtained when the heat source is the sub-heater, and the time constant is that of the long-range member group is calculated from the sub-heater drive duty for the past 1 sec, and a sub-heater drive history for the past 512 sec.
  • ⁇ Tmb is stored and updated
  • the temperature ⁇ Tsb is stored and updated at the predetermined memory position so as to be easily referred to in the interrupt routine generated every 50 msec (S3050).
  • Sub-heater drive control is executed according to the PWM value and the sub-heater drive time, which are updated every time an interrupt is generated every 50 msec (S3060), and thereafter, a print operation for one line is performed (S3070).
  • double-pulse and single-pulse PWM control modes are used for controlling the ejection amount and the head temperature.
  • PWM control using three or more pulses may be used.
  • the scanning speed of the carriage may be controlled, or the scanning start timing of the carriage may be controlled.
  • This embodiment has three print modes, i.e., HQ, SHQ, and HS modes.
  • the ejection mode is changed according to the print mode, and drive control according to the print mode is executed.
  • the difference ( ⁇ t) between the target temperature of the head determined based on the ambient temperature and the actual head chip temperature is calculated.
  • ⁇ t is corrected according to the print mode. Since the PWM value and the sub-heater drive time as the direct control parameters of the ejection amount are determined based on ⁇ t, when ⁇ t is corrected according to the print mode, the ejection amount can be controlled.
  • the HQ (High Quality) mode is normally set.
  • the HQ mode is a mode for realizing a high-speed operation and high image quality at the same time.
  • the SHQ (Super High Quality) mode is a super high image quality mode, which pursues higher image quality than the HQ mode.
  • the HS (High Speed) mode is a draft high-speed mode for high-speed printing. The features of these three modes will be described below.
  • high-speed printing can be performed at a drive frequency of 6.25 kHz and a print speed of 173 cps (10 cpi).
  • This drive frequency is achieved by a segment-shift effect in one drive block (common), and cannot be realized by a conventional drive method, which drives eight segments simultaneously.
  • the segment-shift drive method is proposed in U.S. Application No. 872,924 (filed on April 23, '92) by the present applicant, and is a drive method for delaying the ON timings of eight segments, which are turned on within one block, so that even nozzles and odd nozzles are divisionally driven, as shown in Fig. 52.
  • the ink refill peak timing is shifted to prevent a delay of the refill timing upon execution of continuous ejection.
  • the refill operation of nozzles is assisted by utilizing foaming energy of adjacent ejection nozzles.
  • a conventional simultaneous segment drive method the ink refill operation cannot catch up with the high-frequency drive operation, and ejection is performed in a state wherein an ink is not sufficiently filled in the nozzle, resulting in an ejection error.
  • ejection is continuously performed, bubbles which have not vanished are accumulated in the common ink chamber, thus causing an ink omission state.
  • the segment-shift drive method can solve such a problem.
  • tl and t2 indicate the times from when a common signal is enabled until odd and even nozzles are respectively turned on.
  • TCon indicates the ON time of the common signal, and is 15.57 ⁇ sec in this mode.
  • the drive frequency is as high as 6.25 kHz, electric power input per unit time is high, and is highest of the print modes of this embodiment.
  • the temperature is easy increased by the head drive operation, and density nonuniformity easily occurs.
  • the drive conditions of, e.g., multi-pulse PWM control are updated every 50 msec, intra-line and inter-line density nonuniformities can be prevented. Since the head is driven under the optical drive condition without inputting unnecessary energy by executing optimal multi-pulse PWM control according to the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the head chip temperature, the temperature rise can be prevented as much as possible. Thus, the temperature rise itself is prevented, thereby minimizing density nonuniformity.
  • the SHQ mode is a super high image quality mode capable of performing printing at a drive frequency of 4.46 kHz and at a print speed of 124 cps (10 cpi).
  • multi-pulse PWM control is executed based on the difference between the ambient temperature and the head chip temperature as in the HQ mode
  • a table larger by several stages than a table selected according to the temperature difference is selected. For example, if the temperature difference is "1.5°C ⁇ " (i.e. difference between 1.5°C and 4.5°C) in Fig. 47, three tables are skipped, and a table of "10.5°C ⁇ " (i.e. difference between 10.5°C and 13.5°C) is set in place of the table corresponding to the temperature difference.
  • a table which can obtain a larger ejection amount than that of an optimal table is selected.
  • the ejection amount can be increased, and a high-density image can be provided independently of the kinds of paper.
  • the HQ mode is used more preferably than this mode.
  • the ejection amount is decreased to prevent the ejection amount from being increased too much.
  • the temperature range, in which this mode as a high-density, high image quality mode can be used can be widened.
  • the main body can be controlled with higher precision although the speed is slightly lowered.
  • a ruled-line shift between lines is 5.1 ⁇ m in the HQ mode, while it is 4.2 ⁇ m in this mode.
  • the noise level in the HQ mode is 42 dB, while it is 40 dB in this mode, thus providing excellent low-noise characteristics.
  • the segment-shift drive control is executed as in the HQ mode so as to maintain ejection stability.
  • the segment-shift drive control is not used in a region in which the frequency is unstable. Therefore, the drive frequency of this mode is as low as 4.46 kHz as compared to the HQ mode, fluctuations of the ink are very small, and ejection stability is very good in this region.
  • an increase in ejection amount is effective in a low-temperature environment, and ejection stability is good, an ejection error caused by an insufficiently refilled ink, which tends to occur in a low-temperature environment, can be prevented. In a low-temperature environment, super high image quality is maintained, and this mode has higher image quality level than the HQ mode.
  • the HS mode is a high-speed mode capable of performing printing at a drive frequency of 8.93 kHz and a print speed of 248 cps (10 cpi).
  • This mode has a print speed twice that of the SHQ mode, and draft printing based on divisional pulse control is executed, thus achieving high-speed printing. Since this mode places an importance on the speed rather than image quality, fluctuations and the like are not seriously considered. Since draft printing is performed, the ejection amount is small, and this mode is advantageous in terms of cost.
  • print operations having unique features can be performed in these print modes.
  • These print modes are set in correspondence with user's needs, and can be selected by a user.
  • the present invention brings about excellent effects particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of the ink jet system using heat energy among the ink jet recording systems.
  • the above system is applicable to either one of the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type.
  • the case of the on-demand type is effective because, by applying at least one driving signal which gives rapid temperature elevation exceeding nucleus boiling corresponding to the recording information on electro-thermal conversion elements arranged in a range corresponding to the sheet or liquid channels holding liquid (ink), heat energy is generated by the electro-thermal conversion elements to effect film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording head, and consequently the bubbles within the liquid (ink) can be formed in correspondence to the driving signals one by one.
  • the construction by use of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 disclosing the construction having the heat acting portion arranged in the flexed region is also included in the invention.
  • the present invention can be also effectively constructed as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 59-123670 which discloses the construction using a slit common to a plurality of electro-thermal conversion elements as an ejection portion of the electro-thermal conversion element or Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 59-138461 which discloses the construction having the opening for absorbing a pressure wave of heat energy corresponding to the ejection portion.
  • first to seventh embodiments of the present invention can independently provide the excellent operations and effects, as described above. When the two or more embodiments are combined, further excellent operations and effects can be obtained very effectively.
  • recording in a recording apparatus having a plurality of recording modes, recording can be performed under proper recording conditions in correspondence with the recording modes.
  • sheet feed control, carriage control, wiping control, ejection amount control, and head drive control can be performed in correspondence with the recording modes, recording can be performed under proper conditions in terms of the recording speed, recording precision, recording quality, recording noise, and the like.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Character Spaces And Line Spaces In Printers (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Handling Of Sheets (AREA)
  • Photoreceptors In Electrophotography (AREA)
EP93307271A 1992-09-18 1993-09-15 Appareil d'enregistrement Expired - Lifetime EP0588616B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP249712/92 1992-09-18
JP24971292A JP3308602B2 (ja) 1992-09-18 1992-09-18 記録装置
JP26090492A JP3035093B2 (ja) 1992-09-30 1992-09-30 インクジェット記録装置
JP260904/92 1992-09-30
JP280103/92 1992-10-19
JP28010392A JP3323550B2 (ja) 1992-10-19 1992-10-19 記録装置

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0588616A1 true EP0588616A1 (fr) 1994-03-23
EP0588616B1 EP0588616B1 (fr) 1997-12-29

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US (2) US6065830A (fr)
EP (1) EP0588616B1 (fr)
KR (1) KR0146685B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN1071198C (fr)
AT (1) ATE161482T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69315933T2 (fr)

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US6244680B1 (en) 1995-11-08 2001-06-12 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Detecting quantity of residual product in a movable reservoir
EP1116589A3 (fr) * 2000-01-14 2001-10-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Méthode d'impression jet d'encre et imprimante jet d'encre

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JP4497639B2 (ja) * 1999-04-06 2010-07-07 キヤノン株式会社 記録装置
CN100435037C (zh) * 2000-07-14 2008-11-19 松下电器产业株式会社 成像装置和成像控制方法
US6421581B1 (en) 2000-09-12 2002-07-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Printer with improved page feed
JP3658339B2 (ja) 2001-05-17 2005-06-08 キヤノン株式会社 モータの制御のための方法及び装置
JP3658340B2 (ja) 2001-05-17 2005-06-08 キヤノン株式会社 モータの制御のための方法及び装置
JP3472278B2 (ja) 2001-05-17 2003-12-02 キヤノン株式会社 記録装置及び記録制御方法
US6650077B1 (en) 2001-06-27 2003-11-18 Lexmark International, Inc. Method for controlling printer paper feed
JP2003066774A (ja) * 2001-08-24 2003-03-05 Canon Inc 画像形成装置及び自己診断システム
JP3840081B2 (ja) * 2001-10-01 2006-11-01 キヤノン株式会社 プリント装置、該装置の駆動制御方法、前記装置を具えたプリントシステム、および前記方法を実行するためのプログラム
US7066564B2 (en) * 2002-01-31 2006-06-27 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Selection of printing conditions to reduce ink aerosol
EP1403078A3 (fr) * 2002-08-21 2005-03-02 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif d'impression à jet d'encre, procédé et logiciel d'impression à jet d'encre
JP4447891B2 (ja) * 2003-10-31 2010-04-07 キヤノン株式会社 Ｄｃモータ制御装置および記録装置
US7269371B2 (en) * 2004-06-10 2007-09-11 Lexmark International, Inc. Imaging apparatus having interface device for print mode selection
JP2007276348A (ja) * 2006-04-10 2007-10-25 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置および画像形成装置のレジスト調整方法
US8226198B2 (en) * 2010-07-15 2012-07-24 Xerox Corporation Quiet operating mode management system for a printing device
CN102371776B (zh) * 2010-08-16 2013-10-16 研能科技股份有限公司 适用于立体成型机构的喷印模块
JP5641914B2 (ja) 2010-12-14 2014-12-17 キヤノン株式会社 搬送装置および記録装置
US9272509B2 (en) 2011-03-09 2016-03-01 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Printing apparatus
US8783832B2 (en) 2011-11-30 2014-07-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet printing apparatus and method for controlling ink jet printing apparatus
CN103182862B (zh) * 2011-12-30 2016-03-23 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司 打印控制方法及装置
JP6064715B2 (ja) * 2013-03-21 2017-01-25 セイコーエプソン株式会社 印刷制御プログラム、印刷制御装置、及び、印刷制御方法
US9186921B2 (en) 2013-04-30 2015-11-17 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Control a printer carriage
KR102139880B1 (ko) 2019-01-04 2020-07-31 건국대학교 산학협력단 롤투롤 생산공정에서 동특성 개선을 위한 레지스터 제어 시스템
US10792933B1 (en) * 2019-03-22 2020-10-06 Opex Corporation Apparatus for opening and printing indicia upon envelopes
CN114074475A (zh) * 2020-08-11 2022-02-22 森大（深圳）技术有限公司 控制打印介质移动的方法、装置、控制板、打印机及介质
CN114967385A (zh) * 2022-06-30 2022-08-30 联想图像(山东)科技有限公司 打印机、复印机及其踢纸机构

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CN1085159A (zh) 1994-04-13
US6065830A (en) 2000-05-23
KR940006766A (ko) 1994-04-25
DE69315933D1 (de) 1998-02-05
KR0146685B1 (ko) 1998-08-17
EP0588616B1 (fr) 1997-12-29
US6575568B1 (en) 2003-06-10
DE69315933T2 (de) 1998-04-23
ATE161482T1 (de) 1998-01-15
CN1071198C (zh) 2001-09-19

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